Fence-wire stretcher



W. H. RUGH.

' Fence Wire Stretcher. No. 242,049 Patented May 24,1881.

7 Mai-W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. RUGH, OF OOLFAX, OHIO.

FENCE-WIRE STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,049, dated May l24, 1881. Application filed March 30, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom "it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY RUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at 00]- fax, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Stretching Fence- Wire; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being bad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation of my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of the frame and rotary straining-bar connected to a fence-post, and Fig. 3 is a detail view of the cam-lever and plate for holding the wire.

This invention has reference to certain new and useful improvements in portable devices for tightening fence, telegraph, and other wires; and it consists in the construction of the several parts, as illustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter described.

In the drawings, A represents an angular frame, of metal, cast with the arms a, to form bearin gs for a rotary straining-bar, B, and the arm b to receive a set-screw, C. This frameA embraces the two angular sides of the fencepost D, and is held thereto by the set-screw (3.

To one end of the bar B is rigidly connected a ratchet-wheel, c,.for engaging with a pawl, d, pivoted to the side of the angular frame A, which prevents the bar from turning back or in the wrong direction when the wire is being tightened.

The bar B may have a suitable handle or cranlge, for turning it, and suitable spur-gearing maybe attached to the bar to facilitate operating it.

To the outer end of the bar B is connected one end of a chain,f, and to the opposite end of said chain is secured a plate, .E, to which is pivoted a cam-lever, said plate having a hook, h, for convenient attachment of the chain fl Between the face of the cam-lever g and upper surface of the plate E is securely held the fence-wire 'i, which is tightened by drawing the cam-leverand plate in the direction of the angular frame A, this being accomplished by turning the bar B in the proper direction to wind up the chainf.

The frame A, which is one of the important features of my invention, is cast from a single piece of metal with the arms a and the arm I), which not only simplifies its construction and reduces the cost in the manufacture of this class of devices, but renders it easily attached to thefence-post and as readily removed. As the frame only embraces two sides of the post the set-screw 0 holds it firmly in place.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a device for tightening or stretching fence and other wire, the angular frame A, formed with arms a a b, set-screw O, pawl d, and shaft B, having its bearings in the arms a a, and the ratchet-wheel 0, connected to said shaft, in combination with the chain f, having connected thereto the plate E and the cam-lever g, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY RUGH.

Witnesses:

J. S. SILEs, FRANK WINTER. 

